Single Publication

Acres: 200 acres                                                                                              Start Date: 03/22/2025 

Location: Clayton, GA                                                                                    Personnel: 109 

Containment: 0%                                                                                          Fuels: Timber 

Resources:      5 crews | 2 engines | 1 dozer | 2 helicopters 

Highlights: A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Big Ridge Fire on Monday, March 24. The fire is burning in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area.  Active fire behavior was seen along the northern portion of the fire yesterday on the west side of Big Ridge, and two helicopters were used to check fire growth to the north. Both ground and aviation resources are working to establish control lines. 

Fire Activity: Control lines have been established at the south end of the fire. Steep and rocky terrain paired with active fire behavior are dictating indirect tactics in many areas of the fire, along with a high concentration of hazardous standing dead trees.  These dead fuels contribute to a high spotting potential.  Moderate to abnormally dry drought with drier than normal fuel conditions are causing the fire to be resistant to control. Today, crews will be preparing indirect control lines in anticipation of a strategic firing operation. Four other wildfires are being managed by the team, but these other fires are contained and being patrolled and mopped up.  Smoke will be visible from the Big Ridge Fire and may settle into Warwoman Valley at night. 

Weather: A light rain fell overnight but only amounted to .13 inches.  The effects of this rain are not expected to last long.  Today’s forecast calls for 65 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 25%, and winds will be southwest in the morning, changing to northwest in the afternoon.  Speeds will be 5-10 mph with gusts to 26 mph. The rest of the week will be dry, with the next chance of rain on Sunday.

Evacuations: None.  

Closures: Sarah’s Creek Campground, Sarah’s Creek Road (Forest Service Road 156), Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell to Hale Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 86). 

More Information: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattOconeeNF              

Email: 2025.BigRidge@firenet.gov Fire Information: 770-530-3950                          

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/gachf-big-ridge-fire